Iowa completes upgrade of wireless 911 system

Iowa is improving its wireless 911 emergency calling system with new technology that eventually will allow text messages, photos and video to be transmitted in emergency messages.

Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management officials say they have completed the first phase of a project that upgrades the wireless 911 network to an Internet Protocol system. That type of system has a much larger capability than older style technology used since the 1960s.

Once cellphone carriers and local 911 centers install new equipment, the state system will have the capability of transmitting and accepting texts, photos and video.

Iowa emergency management officials say the state is one of the first in the nation to complete this type of statewide upgrade of its wireless 911 system.

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